Trying to keep the grid up has been very challenging these past three weeks. BC Hydro crews were constantly on call throughout the region, since Christmas Eve, repairing power outages caused by falling trees and snow encrusted power lines. Sub-zero temperatures meant skyrocketing heating bills. When local resident John Sprungman recently asked why his lights were flickering, a BC Hydro repair technician informed him that Cortes Island is trying to draw more power than the infrastructure on Cortes can handle. BC set a new record for peak electricity demand between 5 and 6 PM on December 27th, 2021: 10,902 megawatts.
Continue reading Keeping the grid up on Cortes IslandTag Archives: Campbell River
As Omicron spreads, the number of unreported COVID cases keeps growing ( local data)
According to the provincial government’s Daily Update, there are now at least 3,906 active COVID cases on Vancouver Island. This statistic is low. The number of people who are believed to have COVID and gone into self isolation, but have not yet been tested, is growing
“As many people have noted in the past few weeks, we reached our capacity both from testing, from the lab equipment, from the personnel and the reagents,” said BC Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry on Friday.
Continue reading As Omicron spreads, the number of unreported COVID cases keeps growing ( local data)
We’ve been drinking a lot more alcohol during COVID, study finds
A new University of Victoria study found that British Columbians consumed more alcohol during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than they have at any other point during the past 20 years.
Continue reading We’ve been drinking a lot more alcohol during COVID, study finds
Campbell River, Cortes, Quadra – Cold snap impacts a house challenged population
The chill that started just before Christmas has been particularly hard on the house challenged population of Campbell River, Quadra island and Cortes island.
Some people are living in uninsulated cabins, trailers, boats, cars and tents.
Continue reading Campbell River, Cortes, Quadra – Cold snap impacts a house challenged population
88,000 Seniors cut off from GIS
According to North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney more than 88,000 seniors are being cut off from the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) they received prior to the pandemic. She said this statistic originated with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Hundreds of people have called Blaney’s office about this, including “people from Campbell River, Comox Valley, Powell River, Quadra Island, Port McNeill.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s every community. This is a widespread issue,” explained Blaney.
Continue reading 88,000 Seniors cut off from GIS